Selecting a Modular Home General Contractor – Part 1

A competent modular home general contractor requires a different set of skills than a competent modular dealer. The screening process for selecting a modular home general contractor needs to take this into account.

Even if you are using the same person for both jobs, look at his competence in each field separately. It is also important to look closely at your GC’s skills even if you have already selected him because he is a friend or family member; after all, you will want to know his strengths and weaknesses. If you are assuming the role of GC, shop for subcontractors using the same advice offered here.

When Selecting a Modular Home General Contractor, Complete the Following

Identify the candidates

Have the GC help you design the site-built structures, such as the garage and deck

Have the GC help you determine the contracting tasks required to complete your home

Have the GC help you select your preferred building specifications

Obtain a detailed price estimate

Assess each candidate’s craftsmanship, price, and customer service, including warranty

Make the final selection

Begin the process of selecting a modular home general contractor as soon as possible. It can take many weeks or even months to identify candidates, verify credentials, and receive and review estimates. Obtaining a GC’s estimate almost always takes longer than obtaining a modular dealer’s estimate, since GCs need to solicit bids from each of their subcontractors, which will take time. After obtaining estimates from all of the candidates, negotiate and sign a contract with the one you select. This will allow the GC to schedule commitments from his subcontractors.

How to Identify Modular Home General Contractor Candidates

Begin the process of selecting a modular home general contractor as soon as possible. It can take many weeks or even months to identify candidates, verify credentials, and receive and review estimates.

If you have not already picked out a modular home general contractor, the best way to identify candidates is from recommendations, especially from your modular dealer or people you know and trust. Other sources include your local chapter of the National Association of Home Builders and building inspectors. Don’t forget banks, realtors, and attorneys who serve the real-estate and construction industries. Lumberyard employees usually know which GCs have the best reputation, and subcontractors usually have an opinion about which GCs are the most competent. You can also talk with people who are currently building or have built recently. Since the information is a matter of public record, the building inspector may supply some names. The yellow pages and the Internet can also produce candidates. But with these blind leads you will need to spend more time checking credentials. Ideally, you should select at least three candidates.

Check out some of each candidate’s work. Try to visit homes that the GCs are currently building. If you do not like what you hear and see, move on to the next candidate. Use the checklist to guide your interview with each candidate.

The next step is to arrange a sit-down meeting with the candidate. The primary purpose of this meeting is to give the GC the information he needs to generate a written estimate documenting the scope, specifications, and price of the work.

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Google Reviews

The Home Store was very helpful. They detailed what I was getting and then itemized the prices. They gave me a detailed list of the tasks I’d need to do to complete the contracting work, something very few companies do. Also, they did a good job correcting a couple of warranty items. I’d definitely buy a home again from them.read more

I have known and work with The Home Store for a very long time. The owner Andy Gianino is a one of the most passionate and knowledgeable individuals I know in the home building industry. They do a wonderful job!read more

We are nearing completion of our new home on Cape Cod. The Home Store has provided excellent service from helping to modify the layout of our open space modular home (including my dream kitchen) to drop setting the modular sections on the foundation. A snafu was encountered, through no fault of The Home Store, when the original manufacturer, Excel, went bankrupt, just before the manufacture of our home was to start. The Home Store stepped up and demonstrated their strong customer service by finding a new manufacturer who could construct our original design with only a short delay and by paying to correct errors by the new manufacturer. I recommend The Home Store highly!!read more

I have worked with Andy and the Home Store for many years. His product and industry knowledge is second to none. His attention to detail and his desire to stand behind the product is a true testament to him and his entire team.read more

What an incredible first time experience with The Home Store. As a Development Company, we had decided to try to replace an existing home, that was in much needed repair with a modular home. The Home Store's staff, particularly Dave Lewis were all OUTSTANDING! The process was totally turn key and simple. All changes that we wanted to make to the house was accommodated. The finished product was of high quality and more importantly delivered on time. Modular homes have come so far that they are hard to tell the difference from a home built on site. I would also add that the quality is all as good as a custom home without any headaches trying to find sub contractors to complete the process.You owe it to yourself to check out The Home Store if you are thinking of building a new home.
PS: Check out The Home Store blog and you can see the finished product of the home we purchased, The Wiltshire T-Cape Home.
Thanks again to everybody's effort at The Home Store!read more

I have seen some of the homes being sold by The Home Store and can say I am proud to be a partner with them. The efforts in detail by The Home Store that go into the sale, design, manufacturing and completion are unmatched in this industry. Patrick and Dave are very professional sales people with the knowledge you need to design the true Custom Modular Home.read more

About Andy Gianino

Andy Gianino is the president of The Home Store, a builder of custom modular homes in the Northeast. Andy’s PhD in psychology has helped him develop a strong customer service approach to selling modular homes.

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